Share the Vibe: Ton Mikkers

Ton Mikkers is an independent motion designer and art director. He brings a story, message, process, or concept back to its essence in a short film – from 30 seconds to 2 minutes maximum. He combines text, graphic design, 2D and 3D visuals and animations, sound, and music. He moved back to Eindhoven to be part of the city’s vibe.

There is something special about Eindhoven, says Ton Mikkers. “Design and technology meet here. It’s at the intersection of disciplines where new and exciting things happen. This creates a dynamic environment: you can feel that something is happening. It broadens your horizon. And it doesn’t stop – new things are popping up all the time and keep triggering you, keep pushing you out of your comfort zone. This has a positive effect on creativity.”

Left and right side of the brain

Ton was born in Asten, a village near Eindhoven. He studied advertising & graphic design on vocational level at SintLucas and did a follow-up at De Montfort University in Leicester (UK). He worked a few years as a web designer but decided to push his career in another direction with four years of education in Image and Media Technology at HKU University of the Arts in Utrecht. After graduating, he landed a job at SBS Broadcasting, but in 2011 he decided to start as a self-employed motion designer.

Ever since the well-known British scientist and novelist C.P. Snow wrote The Two Cultures (1959), there has been a lot of debate about the gap between the sciences and the humanities. Some speak about alpha and beta, others about the brain's left side and right side. According to Ton, this is the unique thing about Eindhoven: somehow, the worlds of design and technology have managed to bridge that gap.

Because both disciplines have strong roots here and because developments in the last decades - like interactivity - brought them closer together. Bright young, and creative talents increasingly work together with high-tech start-ups.

New energy

'The result is an environment bursting with energy,' says Ton. 'Even more, it is concentrated in specific areas such as Strijp-S, the former Philips factories.' He has had his office there since January 2017. Ton deliberately moved back to Eindhoven to be part of the energetic vibe. He shares an office with other independent professionals from different backgrounds. 'This brings along interesting contacts and ideas. With the local business association, I had lunch plus a visit to the virtual reality center Enversed, around the corner. See what I mean!' His new environment inspired Ton to create this tribute to Eindhoven.